Methodology for the Study of the Envelope Airtightness of Residential Buildings in Spain: A Case Study

Jesús Feijó-Muñoz,Alberto Meiss,Jesica Fernández-Agüera,Rafael Assiego De Larriva,Roberto Alonso González-Lezcano,María Jesús Dios-Viéitez,Manuel Montesdeoca Calderín,Víctor José Del Campo-Díaz,Cristina Pardal,Víctor Echarri,Irene Poza-Casado,Miguel Ángel Padilla-Marcos

doi:10.3390/en11040704

Abstract

Air leakage and its impact on the energy performance of dwellings has been broadly studied in countries with cold climates in Europe, US, and Canada. However, there is a lack of knowledge in this field in Mediterranean countries. Current Spanish building regulations establish ventilation rates based on ideal airtight envelopes, causing problems of over-ventilation and substantial energy losses. The aim of this paper is to develop a methodology that allows the characterization of the envelope of the housing stock in Spain in order to adjust ventilation rates taking into consideration air leakage. A methodology that is easily applicable to other countries that consider studying the airtightness of the envelope and its energetic behaviour improvement is proposed. A statistical sampling method has been established to determine the dwellings to be tested, considering relevant variables concerning airtightness: climate zone, year of construction, and typology. The air leakage rate is determined using a standardized building pressurization technique according to European Standard EN 13829. A representative case study has been presented as an example of the implementation of the designed methodology and results are compared to preliminary values obtained from the database.

Highlights

IntroductionThe interest in air infiltrations has significantly grown. The uncontrolled intake access through the envelope of buildings generates a series of problems that affect its occupants [1]: Energies 2018, 11, 704; doi:10.3390/en11040704 www.mdpi.com/journal/energiesEnergies 2018, 11, 704 higher energy consumption, lack of thermal comfort, entry of pollutants and odours, noise, inadequate functioning of ventilation systems, less protection against fire, etc.There are numerous studies that have been carried out in Northern Europe, USA, and Canada for decades [2]
In recent years, the interest in air infiltrations has significantly grown
The objective of this work is to establish a rigorous and simple methodology in order to carry out a characterization of the envelope of residential buildings in Spain in terms of airtightness, through coordinated testing campaigns

Summary

Introduction

The interest in air infiltrations has significantly grown. The uncontrolled intake access through the envelope of buildings generates a series of problems that affect its occupants [1]: Energies 2018, 11, 704; doi:10.3390/en11040704 www.mdpi.com/journal/energiesEnergies 2018, 11, 704 higher energy consumption, lack of thermal comfort, entry of pollutants and odours, noise, inadequate functioning of ventilation systems, less protection against fire, etc.There are numerous studies that have been carried out in Northern Europe, USA, and Canada for decades [2]. The interest in air infiltrations has significantly grown. The uncontrolled intake access through the envelope of buildings generates a series of problems that affect its occupants [1]: Energies 2018, 11, 704; doi:10.3390/en11040704 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies. Energies 2018, 11, 704 higher energy consumption, lack of thermal comfort, entry of pollutants and odours, noise, inadequate functioning of ventilation systems, less protection against fire, etc. There are numerous studies that have been carried out in Northern Europe, USA, and Canada for decades [2]. In Mediterranean countries there is still a lack of knowledge in this area [3]. Some field studies have been carried out to characterize the behaviour of the envelope of residential buildings concerning infiltration (Table 1): Country Ref. Year Sample Size

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion